Fan in my inverter/power center

MG72B · 12-09-2016, 10:00 AM

I have a strange one. I have a 2016 Cougar 5th. When I put the light on over the dinette the fan for the inverter comes on. I haven't monitored it but I thinks that's the only time it comes on. I have sat there and turn on and off the light and it will shut off when I shut the light off and on when I turn it back on. Has anyone else noticed this. I'm Sure there'll be a lot of owners trying it now.

mfifield01 · 12-09-2016, 10:11 AM

The fan comes on based on power draw. If it's not LED, change it and the fan will probably stay off.

Steve S · 12-09-2016, 12:15 PM

I had the samething in my trailer and it was only with 3 lights. I've changed all bulbs including the outside ones to LED and I never hear the fan @ all.

**hankpage** · 12-09-2016, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG72B

I have a strange one. I have a 2016 Cougar 5th. When I put the light on over the dinette the fan for the inverter comes on. I haven't monitored it but I thinks that's the only time it comes on. I have sat there and turn on and off the light and it will shut off when I shut the light off and on when I turn it back on. Has anyone else noticed this. I'm Sure there'll be a lot of owners trying it now.

That is the cooling fan for your CONVERTER. It is supplying 12v dc power while you are connected to shore power so you don't drain your battery. It is normal and as others have said, can be lessened by changing to led bulbs.

MG72B · 12-09-2016, 01:34 PM

Thank you, we've owned his since February and it always happened. After reading your replies I took out the two bulbs any turned it off and on and the fan never came on. So I put the bulbs back in and now the fan doesn't come on when I turn it on.
Thanks for replies.

xrated · 12-09-2016, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG72B

Thank you, we've owned his since February and it always happened. After reading your replies I took out the two bulbs any turned it off and on and the fan never came on. So I put the bulbs back in and now the fan doesn't come on when I turn it on.
Thanks for replies.

You put the regular bulbs back in...or...you put LED bulbs in?

Ddubya · 12-09-2016, 04:15 PM

Sounds like the bulb bases were not making good connection causing excessive current drain. Removing the bulbs and then putting them back likely cleaned the corroded connections thus reducing the current.

xrated · 12-09-2016, 05:36 PM

Not making a good connection wouldn't result in excessive current, in fact, a bad connection would result in a higher resistance. A higher resistance would result in less current draw.

hankaye · 12-10-2016, 07:22 AM

MG72B, Howdy;

The only time that I experienced the same thing that you are is when my
batteries had fried. I'd forgot to check the water levels in them during the
long hot summer here in the desert SW. Lesson learned. Even during my
recent problem with my lights dimming and the furnace acting as if it had
a 2 speed transmission I never heard the fan running. So, ... go check your
battery for water level and charge. Disconnect from shore power first or
it will give you a false reading.

hankaye

MG72B · 12-11-2016, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrated

You put the regular bulbs back in...or...you put LED bulbs in?

Yes I put the same bulbs back in. Sounds crazy.

concours · 12-11-2016, 07:57 AM

we switched to LED light bulbs this year now we never hear the fan run Its also nice not having all that heat from the incandescent bulbs

**sourdough** · 12-11-2016, 10:23 AM

I would suggest changing those bulbs, and all the rest, to LEDs. Makes a huge difference, and it sounds like you already have an issue with the connections of those bulbs. Also, as was mentioned, if you haven't checked the water levels in your battery(s) you should do so. It looks like you have a 2016 but that doesn't mean anything. When I bought my new trailer my batteries were very low (I should have had them checked on the PDI but did not

). Depleted batteries will make your lights, and other stuff, do weird things.

Steve S · 12-11-2016, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG72B

Yes I put the same bulbs back in. Sounds crazy.

Isn't tat like saying I'm asking for help but I'm not going to listen to your advice?

Ddubya · 12-12-2016, 06:13 AM

Not to get into a p#~<{ match but if the lamp base is corroded causing a high resistance short there could be excessive current draw

SummitPond · 12-12-2016, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankaye

I'd forgot to check the water levels in them during the long hot summer here in the desert SW. Lesson learned.

Ouch! You mean TT 12V batteries are not maintenance free? I don't recall reading anything about this in the trailer manual (in fact, i don't recall reading ANYTHING about batteries in the trailer manual) and the dealer didn't say anything on the subject. Of course, it's been two years and I've slept since then, but I think I would remember a comment like that.

**sourdough** · 12-12-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShacterShack

Ouch! You mean TT 12V batteries are not maintenance free? I don't recall reading anything about this in the trailer manual (in fact, i don't recall reading ANYTHING about batteries in the trailer manual) and the dealer didn't say anything on the subject. Of course, it's been two years and I've slept since then, but I think I would remember a comment like that.

I am assuming your serious in your comment. If so, you need to check your batteries; I've never seen maintenance free lead/acid 12v deep cycles (that I recall). I suspect that they need to be replaced if you haven't kept them up for 2 years. That would of course depend on the amount of time you spend in the RV and how much time it sits with a charger on it.

concours · 12-12-2016, 08:58 AM

Battery maintenance isn't mentioned in the owners manual because they are a dealer installed item i.e. not supplied by keystone I find that most of the Snowbirds that I talk to have the impression that when you are plugged into shore power the battery is not been used and can be ignored which of course is not the case. Last year I needed to top up the battery during the season it will be interesting to see if that changes with all LED's

SummitPond · 12-13-2016, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

I am assuming your serious in your comment.

Oh, yes, I am serious. That's one of the things I really like about this forum - it's quite educational. Thank you for letting me know what to do.

I have zero experience with deep discharge batteries, so if I wasn't informed by the dealer or previously saw it here, I am clueless. I just assumed that all lead acid batteries were similar in their maintenance. I can't think of the last time I had to top off my battery in the car - it seems like it's been decades. I understand in maintenance-free batteries the electrolyte is no longer distilled water but some sort of gel.

I'll have to pop the top on my battery cover (a real pain - a terrible design) and look into the cells.

**sourdough** · 12-13-2016, 09:21 AM

Yes, maintaining the batteries can be a chore - but you need to do that every few months depending on usage. It's much easier putting a few ounces into the battery than putting a large amount - which means you have probably already ruined one or more cells. I have to remove my cowl, unchain the propane tanks, disconnect the propane regulator then remove both LP tanks to get to the batteries. Getting to them is much worse than working on them.

Banjopicks · 12-14-2016, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddubya

Not to get into a p#~<{ match but if the lamp base is corroded causing a high resistance short there could be excessive current draw

Sorry, I really don't want to get into a "Match" but, OHM's law states that if the resistance goes up then the current goes down. I(current) = V/R. Your statement will confuse some people.

You may also like: